THE demise of the Isuzu Crosswind, one the most beloved models in the lineup of Isuzu vehicles in the country, might not be missed after all. Isuzu recently introduced a replacement, not in the form of a new model but a new engine that will find its way under the bonnet of the D-Max and the mu-X, and, who knows maybe in the upcoming offering of Isuzu Philippines Corp. under the jeepney-modernization program of the government.
IPC President Hajime Koso said, “The global trend of producing a smaller capacity engine, that has an output of larger engines, has come to Isuzu. The new RZ4E Blue Power engine carries it with our years of experience, as a diesel-engine manufacturer carefully developed to provide optimized power and torque. This engine performs efficiently, with much care to the environment, running with less noise and vibrations and is very easy to maintain.”
The new engine is already Euro-4 compliant and is a product of four years of testing and development, although it only has displacement of 1,898-liters. It is rated at 150 horsepower and 350 N-m of torque, making it more powerful than the current 2.5- liter variant that also powers both the D-Max and mu-X.
To be able to achieve the remarkable horsepower and torque on such a small engine, Isuzu gave it a host of advanced technological features, such as a well-designed combustion system—composed of Diamond Like Coated piston pins, coupled with a clothoid curve combustion chamber, new fracture split design connecting rods and DLC fuel-injector needles, which were all engineered to reduce friction, resulting in a better fuel economy and lesser exhaust emissions.
It also features a new water-cooled Variable Geometry Turbocharger system that delivers an excellent throttle response even at low rpms. The turbochargers turbine is said to be made of high temperature resistant material and is water-cooled for durability.
There is also a Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjuster that ensures correct valve clearance, a single engine accessory drive belt for the air-con compressor and alternator, and a cartridge-type oil filter for easy maintenance. The oil filter is also environment-friendly, as the paper filter of the element is the only thing that needs to be replaced every oil change.
In recent fuel test run, conducted by IPC with the supervision Automobile Association of the Philippines and using the standards and parameters set by the Department of Energy, the new RZ4E equipped Isuzu mu-X LS-A with manual transmission returned an incredible 37.27 kilometers per liter, while the AT variant is not far behind with a 35.80 km/l rating, making it 14.32 percent more economical than the 2.5-liter equipped mu-X with Manual Transmission and an even unbelievable 48.36-percent difference on the AT-equipped variant that only registered 24.13 km/l at the DOE’s annual fuel run last year.
The new engine will replace the old 2.5-liter variant, and powers the entry model of the mu-X and the D-Max. IPC Marketing Head Joseph Bautista, in an interview later after the presentation, said, “The new RZ4E engine will be initially available in the mu-X, while D-Max will follow suit in the middle of the year.” He added that, except for the engine, both 1.9 and 3.0 equipped mu-X are essentially the same, and that only difference lies in a few missing features that the buyers of the 1.9 model won’t mind having.”
Prices for the new RZ4E equipped mu-X are as follows; P1.395 million for the entry model LS, MT; P1.570 million for the LS-A with Manual Transmission; and P1.595 million for the LS-A Automatic. It is available in Havana Brown, Cosmic Black, Obsidian Gray, Titanium Silver and Silky Pearl White, which will net buyers with additional P10,000 and is only available on the LS-A Automatic.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo